4 Hair Myths You Need to Stop Believing
Remember the last time you had a cold?
More importantly...remember what happened when you told people you had a cold?
Chances are, they suggested you try some weird “cure” or fanciful folk remedy.
It was probably some trick they learned from their mother...who learned it from her mother.
But when you tried it, it didn’t do anything to help your cold. Maybe it even made things worse!
And when you mentioned this to your friend, they couldn’t understand why:
“IT’S BEEN IN MY FAMILY FOR YEARS!”
And that’s the thing.
When an old-fashioned home remedy has been trusted for generations…
...no one wants to be the spoilsport...the one who admits this “miracle solution” is worthless!
For example, we’re sure your friends and loved ones have given you plenty of well-intentioned advice for taking care of your hair.
And you probably trusted their suggestions and used them...maybe for years…
...even though, deep down in your heart…
...you knew their tips weren’t doing your hair a bit of good!
GIVING IT TO YOU STRAIGHT
Well, today, we’re “coming clean” about four of the most persistent hair care myths around.
If you’re using any of these storied home hair techniques, you can go ahead and stop.
They’re not helping your hair...and they might be hurting it in ways you never imagined!
MYTH #1: WET HAIR AND COLD AIR DON’T MIX
Since we started out talking about colds, let’s continue with a myth about your hair making you sick.
If you grew up any place where it’s cold in the winter, we’re sure you heard this one from Mom:
“Don’t go outside with your hair all wet like that! You’ll catch a cold!”
“Your mother always encouraged you to play outside...but not with wet hair on a day like this!”
And granted, being outdoors on a cold day with wet hair is pretty unpleasant.
But, according to medical doctor James Choi, “Standing outside with wet hair won’t make you sick.”
Dr. Choi says it’s really “airborne pathogens like viruses and bacteria” that get you ill.
Therefore, it is worth heeding your mother’s advice for the sake of your comfort and mood.
But if you come down with something after a day out in the cold...your wet hair is not to blame!1
MYTH #2: CRUSTS FOR CURLS
This one comes from about 300 years ago, in Europe.
It’s not sure exactly what the origins were, but it’s believed to be related to another myth from back then...that curly-haired people were somehow healthier.
And since healthier people were also enjoying better food...including oven-baked bread…
...a belief sprang up that eating bread crusts helps you get curly hair.2
“That bread looks absolutely scrumptious...but can it really give you curly hair?”
But don’t donate your curling wand to the thrift store yet...because this is just a myth, too!
In fact, starchy foods like white breads (and their crusts) have been shown in laboratory tests to accelerate the shrinkage of hair follicles.
So, not only does eating bread crusts not give you bouncy natural curls…
...it could increase the speed of your hairfall cycle...leaving you with even less hair than before!3
But, if you’re already enjoying natural curly hair...or shape your curls with the help of a high-quality curling wand or flat iron…
...some foods you can eat that will keep those curls shiny and full of volume include:
- Beans
- Carrots
- Kale
- Oysters
- Salmon
- Walnuts4
In short, it never hurts to eat up for healthy curls...but make sure to cut off your crusts!
MYTH #3: LOSE THE HAT FOR HEALTHIER HAIR
There are certain special occasions when you just don’t feel fully dressed without a hat.
But some schools of thought maintain that hats are hazardous to your hair!
According to Medical Daily, the conventional wisdom says the friction from a hat puts extra strain on your cuticles.
This supposedly weakens your strands, leading to a potential boost in hair loss.5
But U.S. News & World Report says only one kind of hat can cause you to lose your hair:
A dirty one!
You see, unusually dirty or grubby hats can bring on a scalp infection.
And when your follicles are trapped in a scalp that can’t properly nourish or protect them, this can indeed ultimately cause you to lose your hair.6
So, unless you have a habit of storing your hats by burying them in your backyard…
...feel free to crown your ensemble with that perfect finishing touch!
“Don’t worry...your favorite hat won’t do anything to increase your risk of losing your hair!”
MYTH #4: BY THE LIGHT OF THE MOON
Finally, there are a lot of myths surrounding how cutting your hair affects hair growth.
And some of those myths almost turn getting a haircut into some kind of witchcraft!
For example, in Brazil, some cultures say that if you trim between the full and quarter moon cycles, your hair will grow back thicker and stronger than before.
And astrology experts believe cutting your locks under a waxing moon makes them grow back faster, longer, and more lustrous.
In fact...they actually call this moon-based hair care technique “the Werewolf Effect!”7
Unfortunately, these two lunar haircutting concepts have one thing in common:
They’re simply not true!
“A full moon makes for a truly romantic atmosphere...but it doesn’t do anything to make your hair grow faster!”
While cutting your hair can remove split ends, and leave you with rejuvenated tresses…
...there is no hard evidence that cutting your hair makes it grow back stronger or thicker.8
So really, the best thing moonlight can do for your hair…is bring out its alluring shine!
HOLD FAST TO WHAT WORKS
It’s easy to understand the appeal of myths.
They make you feel a deeper connection to your loved ones...and to the culture you come from.
Even so, these myths are only truly worth sustaining if they deliver what they promise.
That’s why we thought it was important to let you know these hair care myths are untrue.
And we hope taking a closer look at these old-school hair traditions has sparked your curiosity.
Who knows?
Maybe you’ll start digging deep into your own hair beliefs…
...and find a new tradition that really delivers the goods!
CITATIONS
- Wischhover, Cheryl. “10 Common Hair Myths Debunked.” ELLE, ELLE, 9 Oct. 2017, www.elle.com/beauty/hair/tips/g8143/hair-myths/?slide=5.
- Juan, Stephen. “Will Eating Crusts Make Your Hair Grow Curly?” The Register® - Biting the Hand That Feeds IT, The Register, 4 Aug. 2006, www.theregister.co.uk/2006/08/04/the_odd_body_crusts_curls/.
- Tardiff, Sara. “5 Foods That Are Hurting Your Hair Health.” Bustle, Bustle, 25 Apr. 2018, www.bustle.com/articles/102093-5-foods-that-might-be-harming-your-hair-even-if-some-seem-generally-healthy.
- Nelson, Sarah. “NaturallyCurly.” NaturallyCurly.com, 13 Dec. 2010, www.naturallycurly.com/curlreading/living/top-10-foods-for-gorgeous-curly-hair.
- Dovey, Dana. “What Causes Baldness? 6 Hair Loss Myths Debunked.” Medical Daily, 16 Aug. 2017, www.medicaldaily.com/what-causes-baldness-6-hair-loss-myths-debunked-421186.
- “What Causes Hair Loss? 9 Myths About Baldness.” U.S. News & World Report, U.S. News & World Report, health.usnews.com/health-news/family-health/mens-health/articles/2011/02/22/what-causes-hair-loss-9-myths-about-baldness.
- Dewhirst, Kimberly Peta. “Lunar Hair Care: Cutting Your Hair By The Moon's Phases.” Mindbodygreen, Mindbodygreen, 19 Oct. 2015, www.mindbodygreen.com/0-21990/lunar-hair-care-cutting-your-hair-by-the-moons-phases.html.
- GelmanJun, Lauren. “Surprising Myths and Facts About Your Hair | Reader's Digest.” Reader's Digest, Reader's Digest, www.rd.com/health/beauty/hair-myths-facts/.